"We need to . . . restore an orderly process to our offshore energy planning program," declared Salazar, criticizing "foot dragging" by the Bush administration in pushing for renewable energy development in coastal waters.
Salazar did not rule out expanded offshore drilling, but criticized "the enormous sweep" of the Bush proposal, which envisioned energy development in many untapped coastal regions, including lease sales in areas off California and in the North Atlantic that have been off-limits for a quarter century.
Congress last fall ended the broad drilling ban, dating back to 1981, that has kept energy companies from even exploring or conducting seismic studies across 85 percent of the offshore federal waters.
But it remains up to the Interior Department to issue specific plans for leasing areas for drilling. And Salazar indicated yesterday that he is in no rush to open vast expanses of long-protected waters, promising "to create our own timetable."
Salazar directed Interior Department scientists to produce new reports on how much oil and gas might be found off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and extended the public comment period on a new five-year leasing plan to September. He said he will hold regional meetings to get comments from the public before continuing with an offshore energy plan.
Offshore drilling became a contentious issue during the presidential campaign as Republican John McCain made it a pivotal part of his energy agenda. Obama has said he is not opposed to drilling in some waters that have been off limits, but insisted it should be part of a broader energy plan.
Salazar said any offshore energy plan must include a push for more renewable energy, principally wind power.
"The Bush administration was so intent on opening new areas for oil and gas offshore that it torpedoed offshore renewable energy efforts," maintained Salazar. "It was not their priority."
